Venice Walking Tour with St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Guided Tour

Traverse the lengths of the floating city

Discover the essence of Venice, by walking the streets of Serenissima Republic with our experienced guide. Quench your thirst to know everything about the city while walking through the Piazza San Marco bestrewed with monuments like Basilica San Marco, Bell Tower, Clock Tower, and Procuratie. While you're here, admire the Campo Santa Maria Formosa, Campo SS. Giovanni e Paolo (the “Pantheon” of Venice), the Great school of Charity, Marco Polo’s House and the Malibran Theatre.

Return to San Marco through the main shopping area Mercerie where you can shop but not until you drop as you have a lot more to see!

Plunge into Doge's Palace

Skip the line and walk into the Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) and immerse yourself in the political history of Venice while you're here. Live it together with your guide who will show you the halls of power, and tell your stories that have rarely left the walls of the palace. Admire the Renaissance painting adorning the palace and relive the anguish of the prisoners crossing the famous Bridge of Sighs, and entering the Venetian prisons, famous for hosting the Venetian lover, Casanova.

Explore the opulent St. Mark's Basilica

Jump the queue again and follow your tour guide through St. Mark's Basilica, one of Italy's most majestic cathedrals. Walk on delicate marble floors and gold mosaics while viewing masterpieces of Byzantine art and learning about the biblical importance of this monument.

After the Basilica, the guide will leave you to explore other buildings of importance around St. Mark’s Square. You can walk around and discover the Venetian way of life from their paintings, libraries, coinages and sculptures. Some of the building you can't afford to miss are the Museo Correr, Museo Archeologico Nazionale and Monumental Rooms of the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana.

Enjoy additional benefits

After the Basilica, you will have the opportunity to do the optional tour the Glass Craftsman Demonstration visiting a Glass Factory very close to Saint Mark’s square. Please follow the instruction that our staff will provide to you locally. This optional demonstration lasts for 20 minutes but could take longer than the scheduled time and we do not recommend participating if you have other reservations scheduled on the same day.

This ticket also gives you access to a few other places of importance (Museo Correr, Museo Archeologico Nazionale and Monumental Rooms of the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana) around St Mark’s Square which you can set out to explore on your own. Note: All Museums restrict entry one hour before closing time.

If you only have a short period of time to see the absolute best that Venice has to offer, this tour is the perfect way to maximize your time and experience the wonders of the city in the company of an expert local guide and priority access to Venice's most iconic attractions.

Venice Walking Tour with St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Guided Tour

Discover Venice on this 2-hour guided walking tour that includes priority access to the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica, as well as a visit to Piazza San Marco, Museo Correr, and Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana. This sightseeing experience covers all major landmarks in the historic center of Venice, with commentary provided in English, Italian, German, French, Spanish, Russian, and Chinese. Guests will walk approximately 2 miles over flat terrain, exploring the charm of this floating city on foot while learning about its rich history from a certified guide. The tour includes 4 hours of total experience time, with priority access tickets allowing you to skip long lines at popular attractions.

Explore Doge's Palace Key Features

Your tour stops at the Doge's Palace where guests can marvel at this magnificent Gothic structure built between 1309 and 1424. Covering an area of 5,685 square meters (61,270 sq ft), it stands as one of Venice’s most iconic landmarks. Inside, visitors see the opulent Scala d'Oro staircase, the majestic Sala del Maggior Consiglio with its 75,000 square feet of painted wooden ceilings by Tintoretto and Veronese, and the intricate marble inlays known as marmorino throughout the palace’s halls. The Doge's Palace served as both a residence for the city's leader and seat of government from 1299 to 1797 when Napoleon Bonaparte took control of Venice. Visitors spend about 45 minutes exploring this architectural marvel, which is unique due to its blend of Gothic and Renaissance styles. The palace’s significance lies in its role as a symbol of Venetian power and governance.

Witness St Mark's Basilica Grandeur

At St Mark's Basilica, guests can explore this stunning Byzantine masterpiece built between 1063 and 1092. The basilica covers an area of 8,457 square feet (785 sq m) with its famous golden domes standing at a height of 98 feet (30 meters). Inside, visitors see the Pala d'Oro, an altarpiece adorned with over 1,800 gold leaf and gemstone panels dating back to the 12th century. Other highlights include the stunning mosaics depicting scenes from the Bible and the life of St Mark, as well as the intricate marble inlays on the floor. The basilica’s importance stems from its role as a repository for relics of St Mark and its status as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice since 1451. Visitors spend about 30 minutes inside this architectural wonder.

Marvel at Piazza San Marco's Magnificence

Piazza San Marco serves as the heart of Venice, a bustling square surrounded by historic buildings and landmarks. The piazza measures approximately 62,500 sq ft (5,810 sq m) with its iconic clock tower standing tall at 98 feet (30 meters). Here, visitors see the stunning bronze horses from San Marco Basilica, which date back to the 4th or 5th century and were originally part of the Hippodrome in Constantinople. The square also features the Campanile di San Marco, a bell tower built between 1513 and 1517 that offers panoramic views of Venice from its height of 323 feet (98 meters). Guests spend about 40 minutes exploring this vibrant public space.

Admire Museo Correr's Artistic Treasures

Your tour includes a visit to the Museo Correr, located in the Procuratie Vecchie building along Piazza San Marco. This museum covers an area of 20,000 sq ft (1,860 sq m) and houses over 10,000 artifacts showcasing the history and culture of Venice from prehistoric times to the present day. Notable exhibits include ancient Roman coins, medieval manuscripts, Renaissance paintings by Titian and Tintoretto, and a vast collection of Venetian prints and maps. The museum’s significance lies in its comprehensive documentation of Venice's rich cultural heritage.

Discover Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana's Literary Legacy

Nearby Piazza San Marco stands the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana, one of Italy's oldest libraries established in 1564. The library measures approximately 20,000 sq ft (1,860 sq m) and houses over 700,000 volumes, including rare manuscripts like a copy of Homer’s Iliad from the 9th century AD. Visitors can see the impressive Salone Napoleonico, a grand reading room with its intricate ceiling frescoes depicting scenes from Greek mythology. The library's importance is underscored by its role as a repository for Venice’s literary and historical treasures.

Tour Highlights

• Explore the charm of Venice on foot
• Waltz into Doge's Palace with priority access tickets
• Marvel at St Mark's Basilica with guided commentary in multiple languages
• Discover Piazza San Marco’s historic landmarks and vibrant atmosphere
• Witness Venetian glassblowing technique demonstration near St. Mark's Square
• Benefit from free optional coupons to enter Museo Correr and Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana
• Enjoy a 2-mile walking tour covering all major attractions in the historic center of Venice
• Learn about the rich history and culture of Venice through gripping commentary by an exemplary guide

Perfect for travelers, history enthusiasts, and architecture lovers, this guided walking tour provides unparalleled insight into Venice's iconic landmarks. The 4-hour format allows you to explore Doge’s Palace, St Mark's Basilica, Piazza San Marco, Museo Correr, and Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana, giving you a comprehensive understanding of the city's historical significance while enjoying its architectural splendor.